COURT DATE!

Yah! We FINALLY received our court date! Nov. 7th is the actual date, but we will be leaving on Monday November 4th around 2:00 pm. We will arrive in Uganda Tuesday night around 10:30 pm , Uganda time. They are 8 hours ahead. We have 2 layovers...first is in Detroit and then Amsterdam. In Amsterdam airport, we can grab one last warm shower before arriving in Africa!

According to other adoptive parents in the process, going to court isn't so great. Every single one has waited at least 8 hours, watching criminal cases etc. and went last. Most are not passing court right now either because the judges are very weary of sending their children to America because of many things they see in the media. So if they can find any relative who is willing to even consider taking them (even if they can't support or feed them) they will do their best to keep them there.

 It's a very messy situation over there in regard to adoption. I feel optimistic about our hearing, however, I am also preparing myself for other outcomes...such as... the judge putting our hearing off...requesting meetings with the family privately at a later date, or in the worst case scenario, not to be granted guardianship of Eliana. It's a tough pill to swallow...but we have to be realistic and know that this is our reality.

With all that to say, I do believe in the power of prayer. I know that God's ultimate plan will prevail in our case. We have to trust that and believe that as hard as it may be to do. I ask for your prayers for John and I as we prepare for this trip and for court, for knowledge for our attorney, and for the judge to extend grace to us crazy Americans walking in there "taking his children". By the way, he told a friend of mine that "Americans can't just walk in here and expect to take our children easily". It's backwards and frustrating, but it's what we are dealing with.  We may or may not get a verbal ruling on that day...usually it is a week-a month (yes more waiting) before you get the written ruling. After the written ruling, we can take custody of her in Uganda and begin our exit process, which is getting a passport for her, getting a visa, taking her for a final health appt., and getting through our American Embassy (which is no easy feat.)

One step at a time....not concerned with all that follows just yet...we just gotta get through that court date!!!